About The Founder
The Child Support Specialists Foundation was founded by Shannon Matthews in 2021. Shannon has worked as a Director with single parents for over thirty years at Child Support Specialists Inc. Her work with single parents has shown her that there is a need for a non-profit that focuses on single-parent households. Shannon grew up in a single-parent family and knows that Christmas and Back-to-School are difficult times for children living in single-parent homes. Shannon’s hardships as a child fueled her energy for this foundation. After her parents divorced, Christmas presents were not typical, but she remembers the kind people that helped the family. This is the reason the foundation includes Christmas assistance as a large focus of the organization.
What We Do
As a non-profit dedicated to single-parent households, we focus on improving children’s lives in homes with necessities or costs. We offer Back-to-School and Christmas help by providing needed items or financial assistance to as many qualifying single parents as possible. We have also established a higher education scholarship fund.
Who We Help
Child Support Specialists Foundation assists single parents living in the State of Texas that have children living in the household and are experiencing difficult financial times. The scholarship program is paid directly to the school.
About one-third of Texas children are living in a single parent household.
42 percent of Texas single-parent families live in poverty.
Values
RESPECT: We treat all people, communities, and cultures with dignity and respect.
COMPASSIONATE: Be empathetic to all people and circumstances.
HIGH STANDARDS: We pursue excellence in everything we do.
SERVICE: Be a benefit to the community.
SUPPORT: We provide needed support to families.
MAKE AN IMPACT: Leave families better than we found them.
“Children are not a distraction from more important work, they are the most important work. " - C.S. Lewis
Meet The Team
Mary Joyce Causey
Secretary
- Family Medical Center at Cinco Ranch as a Certified Medical Office Manager -15 years
- Boy Scout Troop 490 Volunteer
- Parishioner at St. Justin Marty Catholic Church-30 years
Mary grew up in a single parent household and was practically raised by siblings. Mary hopes to extend her blessings to single parents.
Sylvia Reyna
Treasurer
- Owner of D’Vine Home Cooking
- 2009-2010 New Life Girls Home-Mentor/Counselor Volunteer
- 2003-2006 Ronald McDonald Home Galveston, Fatherhood Group, Volunteer, Cook
- 2002-2005 Head Start Board Treasurer
- 1989- 2009 Chase Bank-Personal Banker
- Outreach For Parents of Children
Growing up in hardships as a migrant worker and with an alcoholic father, Sylvia wants to give hope to a better home situation for children.
Shon'terrias Oliver
Volunteer
Shon’terrias is a single parent that has been a client for over ten years at Child Support Specialists, Inc. She has worked closely with the founder, Shannon Matthews and they have developed a friendship.
Mary Walker
Volunteer
Mary is a single parent and believes that the non-profit will benefit many parents that may be struggling.